Recognition Societies

Yearly Giving

Deerfield recognizes individuals who have made gifts to annual support, capital projects and/or endowment within a given fiscal year (July 1-June 30). These contributions, which are calculated cumulatively on an annual basis, receive special recognition in the Academy’s Annual Report.

The Green and White

Alumni pre-15th Reunion year$1-$1,796

Alumni post-15th Reunion year, Parents, and Friends$1-$4,999

The 1797 Society

Named in honor of the year in which Deerfield Academy was founded, the Society has four levels: Member, Barton Circle, Ashley Circle, and Sheldon Circle.

Member

Alumni pre-15th Reunion year$1,797-$24,999

Alumni post-15th Reunion year, Parents, and Friends$5,000-$24,999

Barton Circle

All Alumni, Parents, and Friends
$25,000-$49,999

Named in honor of Bruce Barton P’33,’39 G’66, a Deerfield trustee from 1956 to 1967, Barton played a major role in Deerfield fundraising campaigns for five decades, beginning in 1929 when he penned an elegant “fundraising book” announcing Deerfield’s first building and endowment campaign.

Ashley Circle

All Alumni, Parents, and Friends
$50,000-$99,999

Named in honor of Tom Ashley ’11, one of Deerfield’s most respected alumni and faculty members, Ashley influenced Headmaster Frank Boyden to reinstate the boarding department and helped to define the Academy’s modern educational philosophy with an emphasis on character development and service.

Sheldon Circle

All Alumni, Parents, and Friends
$100,000+

Named in honor of Jennie Arms Sheldon, a MIT-educated scientist, champion of women’s education, and influential Deerfield trustee, Sheldon helped to establish the Academy’s modern endowment in 1939 with a bequest made in memory of her father, George Albert Arms.

All 1797 Society-level donors can take advantage of a variety of opportunities to further their engagement with Deerfield–ranging from special events, access to leadership, networking, and more.

Consecutive Giving

Heritage Society

Deerfield recognizes the loyalty that consecutive year donors exhibit by giving back to the Academy year after year. Size of gift is not considered, only frequency of giving. At the end of every fiscal year, consecutive giving is updated, and donors with the following noteworthy consecutive giving milestones are honored:

Bronze Level
Five years of consecutive giving including last fiscal year

Silver Level
Ten years of consecutive giving including last fiscal year

Gold Level25 years of consecutive giving including last fiscal year

Lifetime Giving

The 1902 Society

In 1902, Frank Boyden arrived at Deerfield and began the transformation of the Academy as we know it today. Deerfield recognizes philanthropy to the Academy at such a level that its effects have been transformative. Those individuals who have cumulatively given $1,000,000 or more in their lifetimes are inducted into the 1902 Society.

Planned Giving

Deerfield recognizes individuals who provide for the Academy through bequests, trusts, retirement fund gifts, life insurance, real estate, and other planned gifts. There is no minimum amount required to join.